It's the little things that make the whole

[Mazer Rackham 14,968]

12 hours ago, Deeoldfart said:

Over the years, I’ve said to many friends and acquaintances (most of whom don’t really understand my passion for the Dees),  that all I want to see before ‘the inevitable’, is another Melbourne Premiership.  
Since our glorious 2021 win, several of those friends and acquaintances have reminded me of my idle comment.

Crikey. They're not asking you to take up your end of the bargain, are they? Must be Essendon supporters.

[Bobby McKenzie 2,167]

My happiness stems from the long, long wait and seeing people of all ages showing joy of immense proportions. Also, it is wonderful that I can now revisit at any time, the 2021 GF on my dvd in glorious colour. Something I haven't been able to do for the other 7 premierships I have had the good fortune to be around for. 

The other  factor that makes me so happy is the group of young kids in our champion team( 9 under the age of 21). David Neitz and Nathan Jones must think, "Gee, I played over 300 games for my beloved Demons for no premiership medal while Jake Bowey has one after just 7 AFL games." These youngsters play with the composure of a veteran. Look at Bowey, no signs of nerves and 14, 17 and 19 disposals in his three finals appearances. Amazing. Tom Sparrow too thrilled me with his strength and beautiful, powerful kicking. Not to mention the brilliance of Jacko, Rivers and Kosie.

Roll on season 2022.

[Bagdana 58]

For me it's the belief that the team has now fully galvanised as just that, a team.

It's opening a thread about "little things that make the whole" and thinking, this is about the Dees cohesion as seen in the counteless, selfless 1%'ers.

I am happy to be wrong and read all of your "little things".

Go Dees!

[WalkingCivilWar 31,104]

10 hours ago, Bobby McKenzie said:

My happiness stems from the long, long wait and seeing people of all ages showing joy of immense proportions. Also, it is wonderful that I can now revisit at any time, the 2021 GF on my dvd in glorious colour. Something I haven't been able to do for the other 7 premierships I have had the good fortune to be around for. 

The other  factor that makes me so happy is the group of young kids in our champion team( 9 under the age of 21). David Neitz and Nathan Jones must think, "Gee, I played over 300 games for my beloved Demons for no premiership medal while Jake Bowey has one after just 7 AFL games." These youngsters play with the composure of a veteran. Look at Bowey, no signs of nerves and 14, 17 and 19 disposals in his three finals appearances. Amazing. Tom Sparrow too thrilled me with his strength and beautiful, powerful kicking. Not to mention the brilliance of Jacko, Rivers and Kosie.

Roll on season 2022.

Just curious, Bobby. Of the eight premierships you’ve been blessed to have lived through, where does this one (2021) stand? Putting aside the drought breaking aspect, that is. 

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,381]

I love reading about the "little things" in this thread. Which makes this thread itself one of those little things.

It's fabulous reading about what this Premiership means in so many different personal ways.

[WalkingCivilWar 31,104]

I love this thread! It really highlights the seemingly endless number of ways this Premiership has left, and is still leaving, its mark. ❤️💙💕❤️💙

Edited October 21, 2021 by WalkingCivilWar

[loges 5,993]

1 hour ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

I love this thread! It really highlights the seemingly endless number of ways this Premiership has left, and is still leaving, its mark. ❤️💙💕❤️💙

In 2018 I couldn't go to the finals due to work commitments but seeing the joy on people's faces some even crying, just amazing. To see even greater joy after winning the grand final, just fantastic.

[Little Goffy 12,489]

I'm currently (in a quasi-professional capacity, what a strange world) reading good ol' boy Clausewitz's On War and came across a quote specially designed for this thread and the Demons 2021.

... "it is the noiseless harmony of the whole action which we should admire, and which only makes itself known in the total result. The inquirer who, tracing back from the final result, does not perceive the signs of that harmony is one who is apt to seek for genius where it is not, and where it cannot be found."

There was no moment of genius or extraordinary innovation in the Demons 2021 that set us apart. We simply got to the point of acting as a unified group on the necessities which everyone kind of already knows about.

[frankie_d 1,407]

I was there is '64, and the son and heir has to suffer with me for about 30 years. He moved to Adelaide for work at the start of the year. 

He got tickets and saw the win. We will royally celebrate when we can get together!

[Bobby McKenzie 2,167]

14 hours ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

Just curious, Bobby. Of the eight premierships you’ve been blessed to have lived through, where does this one (2021) stand? Putting aside the drought breaking aspect, that is. 

This one without a doubt. It was something very special. Until this season I always believed the 1956 team was the best Melbourne side ever but now the 2021 group take the banner. So young and talented  with the potential to have a lot more success in future years.

[Cassiew 1,864]

On 10/18/2021 at 12:00 PM, hemingway said:

Twenty years ago I thought I had plenty of time to see a Premiership. However, in recent years I was beginning to think that it would not happen in my lifetime and that I would not have the joy of sharing the experience with my adult boys. And the thought that their loyalty and enjoyment may be extinguished. 

At the start of the game I remember thinking, if not this year, when ? 

It is ridiculous to place so much importance on footy. It defies logic because it is so emotional. 

However, what a difference the win has made to my mood. It has reinforced in my mind that we should always maintain faith and hope, and, even expectation. To think that miracles do happen (but not the kind that our PM believes in). 

To never again to have to put up with hearing and reading all the derogatory comments about something you love. To not have to suffer the looks of pity and the words “long suffering Demon supporters”. To watch and read of the joy of the players, the coach, club officials and all the other Demon supporters. 

Can it be that important? You betcha! The win and post match celebrations are to be savoured and never forgotten. 

A dream come true for all of us. A feeling that all that agony, heartache and disappointment has been for a reason. It has made the joy of winning that much more significant and meaningful. 

Thank you Melbourne Football Club. 

It’s post like this that warm my heart. My uncle is terminally ill and I was worried he’d be the same. My dad is getting on in age. It’s the people like you that deserve it the most ❤️

[the other brother 9]

I’m a post 64 supporter and throughout that time it was always the other teams that had the champion players….including plenty of whom I feel would only be regarded as “good ordinary” had they played for us. And even our best (Flower, Lyon, Schwartz, Stynes etc) had  the qualifier that they’ve never won a premiership. This year has blown that away

[Melbournepotter 264]

There are so many sentiments that I can identify with on this thread. Our family have been Melbourne supporters for close on 50 years. Unfortunately both parents have passed on in the last 3 years and missed the Premiership this year, which they would have loved to have seen and experienced, obviously.  I still am getting used to the idea, I have had almost 50 years of thinking 'maybe next year' so it's taking time to realise it's actually happened THIS year.  I still get emotional watching the last 10 minutes of the 3rd quarter despite watching it plenty of times.

Like others have mentioned, I have admired and loved the efforts of great Melbourne players, however, up to now, when they were on TV etc, they're couldn't be described as premiership players which didn't quite elevate them to the status of other players in the same era, in my opinion. Now we can have those players....now we can revel in Melbourne's players having a Premiership reunion every few years, now we can have not just club champions, but competition champions.

[58er 5,568]

On 10/21/2021 at 6:45 AM, low flying Robbo said:

I feel sorry for my baby boy who's never seen a Melbourne premiership in his lifetime 😄

That why there is such a feeling for the Wights  Broadbridges Stynes Silvias Flowers etc. 

We all have relatives that have missed this event some are luckier and we're around in the 50's and 60's!

I feel for any one in this situation but please don't let it overrule  your joy and elation on such a magnificent achievement.

I was lucky enough to be able to go to the game from Brisbane but I have no guarantees about next year or a dynasty of flags st this stage either! 

Please embrace the present I don't want the feeling to stop.!!!

One if the great days of my life and I hope to emulate it again at  the G in 2022.

[WalkingCivilWar 31,104]

1 hour ago, 58er said:

That why there is such a feeling for the Wights  Broadbridges Stynes Silvias Flowers etc. 

We all have relatives that have missed this event some are luckier and we're around in the 50's and 60's!

I feel for any one in this situation but please don't let it overrule  your joy and elation on such a magnificent achievement.

I was lucky enough to be able to go to the game from Brisbane but I have no guarantees about next year or a dynasty of flags st this stage either! 

Please embrace the present I don't want the feeling to stop.!!!

One if the great days of my life and I hope to emulate it again at  the G in 2022.

Beautiful sentiments 58er but I’m sure LFR was JK. 😊

I’m guessing he’s had a baby sometime since the GF. 

Edited October 23, 2021 by WalkingCivilWar

[Allus Monk 568]

This one’s a preemptive “little thing” that I’ve always been a bit jealous of. Once the AFL and Channel Seven start marketing the new season in 2022, you can bet Max, Clarry and Trac will be the faces of everything, the same way Bont was in 2017. Sort of a mini refresher at the start of the season. 

[DeeZone 7,643]

Coming out of lockdown my Family got together on Saturday night  in our colours had a BBQ and then watched the Granny together. We talked a lot laughed a lot and loved every minute of every great play and goal that we have memorised and then watched the presentation together for the first time. It was a memorable night apart from me almost burning down my daughters BBQ. This Granny is something that we will remember for the rest of our lives.💕❤️💙

[hemingway 7,583]

On 10/23/2021 at 7:02 AM, Cassiew said:

It’s post like this that warm my heart. My uncle is terminally ill and I was worried he’d be the same. My dad is getting on in age. It’s the people like you that deserve it the most ❤️

Nice comments thanks. I am just grateful for the win and for being able to enjoy and bathe in the after glow. 

It has brought joy to our hearts. Not just the elderly, but supporters of all ages particularly the kids and the younger brigade. All those who have lived with the disappointments of the past 20 to 30 years.

A sense of pride has been restored in a way that has never happened before. The great sides of the 50s and early 60s were built on the success of earlier years going back to the 30s and 40s. Melbourne was simply the biggest and the best. We had nothing to prove. Everyone regarded the Club as the biggest and the best. Period. 

This time the club had to pull itself out of hole of 50 years of suffering. And many years of being regarded as perennial losers. Now we have seen the transition from loser to winner and a club that has regained its pride. It’s an amazing feeling and an amazing time to be a Demons supporter.

That dull feeling of defeat and negativity has lifted to unveil bright sunshine and a red and blue sky. 

[Dante 2,562]

9 hours ago, hemingway said:

Nice comments thanks. I am just grateful for the win and for being able to enjoy and bathe in the after glow. 

It has brought joy to our hearts. Not just the elderly, but supporters of all ages particularly the kids and the younger brigade. All those who have lived with the disappointments of the past 20 to 30 years.

A sense of pride has been restored in a way that has never happened before. The great sides of the 50s and early 60s were built on the success of earlier years going back to the 30s and 40s. Melbourne was simply the biggest and the best. We had nothing to prove. Everyone regarded the Club as the biggest and the best. Period. 

This time the club had to pull itself out of hole of 50 years of suffering. And many years of being regarded as perennial losers. Now we have seen the transition from loser to winner and a club that has regained its pride. It’s an amazing feeling and an amazing time to be a Demons supporter.

That dull feeling of defeat and negativity has lifted to unveil bright sunshine and a red and blue sky. 

And that's what killed me, we were once the biggest club in the land and then we fell in to a hole and tinpot, made up clubs, like the Eagles and the Crows started winning Grand Finals, that's when I started to despair we'd never win another flag.

We've done it now and will do it again next year and hopefully the year after that. It's despair, you just go through the motions every year and know what the outcome will be.

I didn't watch a game in 2019 or 2020, not one and I didn't follow the results or really care, I still renewed my memberships but was just sick of the disappointment.

I went to the first game this year and said to my partner that I liked what I saw, so we went to every game we could after that, glad we did.

[hemingway 7,583]

44 minutes ago, Dante said:

And that's what killed me, we were once the biggest club in the land and then we fell in to a hole and tinpot, made up clubs, like the Eagles and the Crows started winning Grand Finals, that's when I started to despair we'd never win another flag.

We've done it now and will do it again next year and hopefully the year after that. It's despair, you just go through the motions every year and know what the outcome will be.

I didn't watch a game in 2019 or 2020, not one and I didn't follow the results or really care, I still renewed my memberships but was just sick of the disappointment.

I went to the first game this year and said to my partner that I liked what I saw, so we went to every game we could after that, glad we did.

You were not alone. 

[Timothy Reddan-A'Blew 3,797]

As with the post-game thread, posters on this thread to date - too many to acknowledge individually - please accept this 👍from me.

Pretty much every day I have a flash of clarity, that my 'belief' that there would be another premiership in the relatively few years remaining of my lifetime was a self-protective pretense, not supported in hindsight by any real evidence and shadowed by a niggle that the reality was that there would not be another. Every year there was a team, or more, better destined than us.

But then follows the realisation that it did happen. It is a thing of wonder that something bad, lurking soooo long at one's core, is just no longer there.

[WalkingCivilWar 31,104]

Smiles on faces. Not so little, though. In fact, the smiles on GF day were huge. In particular, I never get tired of seeing those smiles on the players’ faces. And Goody and the coaching staff, everyone. So heartwarming! ❤️💙

[DeeZone 7,643]

bT said that if you mix Dustin Martin with Peter Daicos you end up with Christian Petracca.!!! LOL.!!!

[tiers 2,761]

On 10/18/2021 at 12:00 PM, hemingway said:

It is ridiculous to place so much importance on footy. It defies logic because it is so emotional. 

Not so ridiculous. Where else can you get so much shared joy, happiness and camaraderie that it overwhelms normal life. That is the logic of our footy, the greatest game on earth, and we are the current masters. What could be more logical and emotional.

[Demon Disciple 10,885]

36 minutes ago, DeeZone said:

bT said that if you mix Dustin Martin with Peter Daicos you end up with Christian Petracca.!!! LOL.!!!

Ummm…………..when was the last time either of them had 39 touches in a GF? Oh that’s right, never.

Daicos was mercurial, but an extremely outside player. Martin is a glorified 1-way runner and doesn’t know how to defend to save himself. Trac has them both covered.

p.s - as for the little things, I always dreamt of knowing the feeling of winning a premiership…..I am now living that dream ❤️. The nagging and anchoring feeling of failure has been replaced with a contentedness and joy that I have never felt before.

Some say it’s just a game. BS………it’s the only game, 

Edited November 19, 2021 by Demon Disciple